Types of Peer Support

Peer support comes in many forms. In addition to group support meetings and individual support. Phone peer support is also available and the Phoenix Society offers an online peer support chat every Wednesday evening.

Monthly Support atSpaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Meetings are on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 6pm.Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital300 First AvenueCharlestown, MA 021295th Floor Lantern Room

World Burn Congress

Phoenix World Burn Congress is an annual, international conference that brings together over 900 burn survivors, their families, caregivers, burn care professionals, and firefighters. People come together to offer support, increase their knowledge of burn recovery, and share inspiring stories.September 12-15, 2018Grand Rapids, MI

Burn Survivors of New England (BSONE)

The BSONE is a nonprofit organization that supports and empowers burn survivors and their families as they build active and engaged lives. Their efforts focus on bringing peer support to burn survivors and their families and they hold several annual events to help bring the burn survivor community together.

Phoenix Society ForBurn Survivors

The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors is the leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering anyone affected by a burn injury. Through Phoenix SOAR (Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery), World Burn Congress, Phoenix Education Grant, online peer support, and resource library, the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors works to help burn survivors throughout their recovery process.

Boston Area Peer Supporters

Kevin Fitzgerald

Kevin Fitzgerald

Kevin suffered a 55% third degree burn after a gasoline tanker overturned on the highway. During his time in the hospital, Kevin was visited several times by SOAR members. Upon discharge, Kevin started regularly attending Burn Survivor of New England meetings and events. Since then, Kevin has become SOAR certified by the Phoenix Society. He has also returned to work and is active in his community.

Muji Karim

Muji Karim

In 2011, Muji sustained burns to 31% of his body and lost both legs and four fingers after surviving a car crash. Muji, a former football star at the University of New Hampshire, was 29 years old at the time and had recently started a new job in finance. With the help of those at BWH and SRH, Muji was able to recover and progress to using two prosthetic legs and a cosmetic prosthesis for his hand. Since leaving SRH, Muji has become actively involved in the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors and become a SOAR Peer Supporter. He believes that laughter is a big part in healing and that helping people feel good about themselves goes a long way in the healing process.

Karen Labonte

Karen Labonte

In 2001, Karen was severely burned when flames from an open gas stove caught her maternity blouse on fire. She sustained a third degree burn injury to 50% of her body and was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital. There, Karen gave birth to her son while in a medically induced coma. Following her injury, Karen became a certified SOAR Peer Supporter and attended the
Burn Survivors of New England monthly support meetings. She is an avid fundraiser for Burn Survivors of New England and an active member of the Burn Survivors of New England.

Mylene Larsen

Mylene Larsen

In 2001, Mylene was brought to MGH after being burned at work. She spent many months recovering at MGH, some of which she was in a coma. Eventually, she was transferred to SRH where she was able to regain her ability to walk and talk. While at MGH, she was visited by a peer supporter who helped both her and her family. They met with her family, talked about what to expect, and encouraged them throughout the process. Their significant help prompted Mylene to become a peer supporter following her recovery. She believes that peer support afforded her a confidence that she didn’t have before and she encourages others to reach out to her if they would like to become involved.

George Pessotti

George Pessotti

George was burned in a gasoline explosion at his home in Westford, MA in 1979. He sustained second and third degree burns on 85% of his body. While hospitalized at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Alan Breslau, a burn survivor and founder of the Phoenix Society did a peer support visit. This visit inspired George to dedicate his life to burn survivor causes. Since then, George has served as President of the Phoenix Society Board, and Pro Tem Executive Director. George received the coveted Breslau Award in 2007 and founded Burn Survivors of New England in 2013. His book Reason For Living has been a resource for hospitals and burn survivors alike. George has been married to his wife Joanne for 35 years and has 2 sons and 5 grandchildren. He resides in Nashua, NH.

Jerry Laperriere

Jerry Laperriere

In 2010, Jerry sustained third degree burns to his hands and shin after attempting to extinguish Diana, his fiancée. Following his injury, Jerry spent five days in the hospital while Diana began her recovery in the ICU. Though his focus was on Diana’s survival, Jerry struggled with his own physical injury and mental anguish. The support he received from fellow burn survivors and burn care providers inspired Jerry to become a certified SOAR Peer Supporter. Currently, Jerry is an active member of SOAR, gives inspirational talks about overcoming adversity with his fiancée and attends BSONE and World Burn Congress. Jerry is also the proud owner of the Laperriere Group Manufacturers Rep firm where he works to distribute janitorial products throughout the New England area.

Diana Tenney

Diana Tenney

In 2010, Diana sustained a third degree burn injury to 91% of her body. She spent over a year recovering at Massachusetts General Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and had over 150 procedures. Through the love and support of her family, friends, and other burn survivors, Diana was able to recover and she now leads an active and purposeful life within the burn survivor community. Diana is a certified Phoenix Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery (SOAR) Peer Supporter and has completed over 120 in-person peer visits at MGH, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, and Shriners Hospital for Children-Boston. Currently, she serves on the Burn Survivors of New England Board of Directors, the Boston-Harvard Burn Injury Model System (BHBIMS) Advisory Committee, the BHBIMS Information Dissemination Committee, and the Massage and Burn Scar Therapy Burn Foundation Board. Diana also actively volunteers with the Phoenix Society, American Burn Association, and various other organizations in her hometown, New Bedford, MA.

Sleep problems are especially common right after burn injury and during the healing and recovery stages. Insomnia can come and go over the years and may require different solutions at different times. Everyone has a different experience after burn injury, and some of the following information may not apply to you.

Major burn injuries can change how the body looks and functions and lead to body image distress. Body image is defined as how satisfied, comfortable and confident a person is with his or her appearance.

Many burn injury survivors who have had a change in their physical appearance feel anxious about how people will react to them when they leave the hospital and go back into public places. The way people react (verbally and non-verbally) can make it more difficult to feel confident during social interactions. While some burn survivors are not bothered by the reactions of others, you may find it helpful to learn social skills to face these challenges successfully.

Returning to work after a burn injury can be an important phase of recovery that helps you return to a routine. Work not only provides you with an income and other benefits, but can also give you a sense of purpose and confidence that is critical in maintaining a higher quality of life.

Burn survivors can become frustrated that they still have issues with scarring after their initial burn injury has healed. Hypertrophic burn scars (raised scars in the area of the original burn) are the most common complication of a burn injury and can limit a survivor’s ability to function as well as affect their body image. It is difficult to predict who will develop scarring. Research shows that less severe burns that heal in less than 14 days generally have no scarring. More severe burns heal in 14 to 21 days and put you at a risk of scarring. Burns that take more than 21 days to heal are at very high risk for scarring and may require skin grafting.

As skin heals from a burn injury, it may get itchy. Almost everyone recovering from major burns has problems with itching—especially on or around the burn, graft, or donor site. The medical term for itchiness is “pruritus” (proo-ri´tus).

A burn injury causes stress to your body. Your heart and lungs may not work as well as before. Your bones may not be as strong. Remember that muscles get weak or smaller when they are not used— being on bed rest probably caused you to lose some muscle. For each day of bed rest people can lose 1% of their muscle.

This factsheet is intended to inform people with burn injury and their families about nutrition during hospitalization and after they return home. Burn injury dramatically increases your nutrition needs. The larger the burn size, the more nutrients you need to heal

Factsheets for Children

Recovery from a burn injury can be difficult; however, there are many ways to support children during this process. You can help to build your child’s resiliency after the injury. Resiliency is the ability to overcome challenges and bounce back stronger. You should always consult your child’s medical team at your local burn center for help with these issues.

Going back to school is a very important step in a child’s healing after a burn injury. Learning and being with friends is important to your child’s progress. It is normal for you or your child to feel stress and be worried about going back to school.

This factsheet is intended to inform families of children with burn injury about nutrition during hospitalization and after they return home. Your child needs adequate nutrition to grow and develop. Having a burn injury dramatically increases the need for proper nutrition.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

The NFPA is a global nonprofit organization that is devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazard. They do so by educating the public about fire safety, acting as advocates, supporting research and training individuals on codes and standards.

Department of Fire Services Public Education

The Fire Data and Public Fire Education Unit manages all education programs and provides free technical assistance to local fire departments, health educators, medical and public health professionals, classroom teachers, elder service providers, community and service organizations and others interested in safety education. For further information please call the Public Education Department at (978) 567-3388.

International Association of Firefighters (IAFF)

The IAFF works to better fire safety, prevention and education. It represents more than 303,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics and is one of the most active lobbying organizations in Washington, DC.

Disability Income

Work Related Benefits

Short Term Disability – Check with your employer’s human resources department to see if you have any short term disability benefits. This may cover part of your salary for a few months, depending on the benefit. Some employers have a benefits sharing program in which your fellow employees contribute a day of their paid time off into a pool to help those who cannot work due to an illness or disability. It is worth asking about any and all options.

Long Term Disability – Check with your employer’s human resources department to see if you have any long term disability insurance. This may cover part of your salary after a few months up to a few years, depending on your company’s specific plan.

Social Security Programs

There are three benefits programs managed by social security. They are SSDI, SSI, and Social Security Retirement Benefits. To see if you might benefit from any of the social security programs, you can visit this website and use this confidential screening tool. http://www.benefits.gov/ssa/home

SSDI – Social Security Disability Insurance

People who have contributed to social security through past work can apply for this disability payment which starts no earlier than 5 months after they became disabled and continues for as long as they are disabled. Apply on line at www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability/ or over the phone at 1-800-772-1213. After two years of receiving SSDI, you will become eligible for Medicare health insurance. After you start receiving SSDI, you can return to work part time and still collect SSDI with some restrictions. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf

SSI – Supplemental Security Income

SSI makes monthly payments to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. Some people receive both SSDI and SSI. To apply for SSI benefits, you can fill out the online disability report at https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/radr/radr-fe to get the process started and schedule an appointment with a Social Security representative to complete the process at 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you do not wish to fill out the disability report online, you can schedule an appointment at your local social security office by calling 1-800-772-1213.

State Assistance

Emergency Assistance for Elderly, Disabled, and Children

Emergency Aid to Elders, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) is a Massachusetts state-funded program that provides cash and medical assistance to needy families and individuals who are not receiving TAFDC, SSI, or other similar benefits. You can go to your local Department of Transitional Assistance to apply in person. http://webapps.ehs.state.ma.us/DTAOffices/default.aspx

Food Assistance

The Food and Nutrition Service agency under the US Department of Agriculture administers assistance programs to increase access to healthy food as well as promote healthy eating. Such programs include SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children). Other resources include the National Hunger Hotline which provides free, live support to find food near where you live.

Victim's Compensation

Crime victim compensation assists victims and their families for many out of pocket expenses in the aftermath of crime impact. This government program reimburses victims of violent crimes including, assault, homicide, and rape. Each state also has its own state specific crime victim compensation with varying benefits. Such benefits may range from covering the costs of financial counseling, travel for medical treatment, relocation expenses, funeral expenses, etc.

Vocational Rehabilitation

State vocational rehabilitation agencies overseen by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) provide comprehensive rehabilitation services that help individuals with disabilities find and maintain employment. Services may include identifying jobs suitable for the individual, educating the employer about the American with Disabilities Act, job counseling services, identifying necessary work accommodations, etc. These services aim to help individuals with disabilities reintegrate into the workforce.

Insurance Programs

Medical insurance assistance programs, Medicare and Medicaid, provide coverage and benefits for those who may be otherwise unable to afford care. Medicaid, with CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) is jointly funded by the federal government and states and provides coverage to low income individuals, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with disabilities. Medicare, on the other hand, is a federally funded program that covers those who are over age 65, younger individuals with disabilities, and those with end stage renal disease.

Independent Living Centers

Independent living centers are agencies run within local communities that offer a variety of living services for those with disabilities. These centers are run by those with disabilities and provide an alternative to institution living, allowing those with disabilities to gain independence prior to full reintegration back into society. In addition to promoting autonomy, independent living centers also operate as centers for advocacy, support, and empowerment for those with disabilities.